Dame Kelly Holmes at Run Reigate

Last week’s blog was all about inspiration. As our thoughts turn to the Olympics, there are few more inspirational runners than Dame Kelly Holmes…

Dame Kelly Holmes is a legend in many ways. Winner of gold in the 800m and 1500m distances at the 2004 Athens Olympics and she is still the holder of the 600m, 800m and 1,000m British records. She has been an inspiration for thousands of young people to take up middle distance running. Dame Kelly also spent 6 years as the President of the English Commonwealth Games. She is a great supporter of charitable work and has set up her own, the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust – more about this later.

Helping to Make Run Reigate Even More Special

It will be amazing to have Dame Kelly with us on the big day and we’ll be keeping her really busy! Ranging from starting our races, awarding prizes to the winners and handing medals out to some of the kids in their events. If at any point you see her jogging between roles, please do not take this as an opportunity to race her. It will be embarrassing for everyone concerned, especially when she beats you…

Your Chance to Meet Dame Kelly Holmes

Yes, you can have the chance to meet her in person! Dame Kelly Holmes will be hosting an exclusive Race Reception with 30 winners. The raffle is open to all registered runners, you just have to buy a £3 ticket to be entered into the draw.

The “VIP Race Reception”:

Only open to the 30 winners of the raffle

You will hear exclusive background and tips from this Olympic legend

Be hosted in a VIP tented marquee

Ask questions and get photos with a national running hero

Get your Run Reigate exclusive finishers t-shirt signed

Drinks and light refreshments also provided

Tickets are £3 each or 4 for £10

To sign up for the raffle you must be registered for this year’s event, then enter at https://register.canbook.me/e/shop/10199. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can buy tickets when you book your place online. Entries close 11.59pm on Sunday 4th September and winners will be notified within 24 hours. You can enter as many times as you like (no one will judge you for stalking).

Kelly’s Heroes

All proceeds, and we’re hoping to raise a great deal of raffle prize money, will be given directly to Dame Kelly’s charities, for whom she is hoping to raise a staggering £250,000 this year. These are all organisations that are close to her heart which she calls Kelly’s heroes because of the time and care they give to people in need. For more information about each of the charities, including her own Trust, which supports disadvantaged young people, please click on the links below:

Run Reigate are delighted to be able to support all of these community charities and would greatly appreciate it if you could dig deep in your pockets to support them too. However if you’re not one of the lucky winners, don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to see her around and about at the event.

We’re more excited than ever about the big day now and we hope you are too! If you haven’t entered either the 10K or half-marathon don’t worry, there’s still time to sign-up and join in the fun. 2016 is going to be Run Reigate’s best event yet!